Curator

  • Art Institute Chicago
  • Harvard art museum
  • My Exhibition
A work made of terracotta.

Container for Palm Wine

Early/mid–20th century

Yamba Possibly Gom, Cameroon Coastal West Africa

Cameroon

Throughout much of Cameroon, potters spend a considerable amount of time making containers for serving and drinking palm wine, the sharing of which is an important gesture of hospitality that fosters communion with ancestors. For these reasons, palm wine is an essential part of court and regulatory society ritual. [See also 1995.11, 2004.742, 2005.274, 2012.501].

Terracotta

Arts of Africa

Drinking and Dining